The Toxic Compound: Amygdalin and Cyanide Risk
Bitter almonds are fundamentally different from the sweet almonds typically found in stores. The primary distinction lies in their chemical composition: bitter almonds contain a toxic compound called amygdalin. When raw bitter almonds are chewed, crushed, or digested, the amygdalin breaks down to produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN).
Hydrogen cyanide is a potent poison that interferes with the body's ability to utilize oxygen, leading to cellular death. Even a small quantity of bitter almonds can be toxic, with as few as 6 to 10 raw nuts potentially causing serious poisoning in an adult. For children, the lethal dose is even lower. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning can include headache, dizziness, nausea, low blood pressure, confusion, and in high doses, seizures, respiratory failure, and death.
Historical and Traditional Medicinal Uses
Despite the clear and present danger, bitter almonds have a long history of use in various traditional and alternative medicine systems, always with caution due to their inherent toxicity. These practices often utilized the seeds in very small, controlled doses, though without the modern understanding of cyanide poisoning.
Traditional Applications in Herbalism
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): In TCM, bitter almonds are often used in combination with other herbs like licorice root to address respiratory ailments, including coughs and asthma. Processed forms are typically used to mitigate toxicity.
- Persian and Unani Medicine: Herbalists in these traditions used preparations from bitter almonds for issues affecting the lungs and for certain skin conditions like melasma and freckles. Bitter almond oil was also used topically to soothe skin issues.
- European Folk Medicine: Medieval herbalists documented the use of bitter almond oil topically for relieving muscle aches and skin conditions.
The Role of Essential Oil
Processing bitter almonds, which involves methods like heating, can significantly reduce the cyanide content. The essential oil derived from bitter almonds, particularly after the removal of the toxic components, has been valued for its properties:
- Antimicrobial Effects: The presence of benzaldehyde and trace amounts of cyanide in the processed oil gives it natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
- Antispasmodic: In very controlled, low doses, the essential oil has been used for its antispasmodic effects to relieve muscle spasms.
- External Applications: Due to its toxicity, any purported healing benefits of the essential oil are almost always limited to external use, often diluted greatly and under the supervision of a practitioner.
The Laetrile Controversy: A False Cancer Cure
Perhaps the most infamous chapter in the story of bitter almonds in medicine involves laetrile, or "vitamin B17." In the 1950s, a semi-synthetic form of amygdalin called laetrile was developed and subsequently promoted as a natural cancer treatment. The theory suggested that the cyanide released from laetrile would target and kill only cancer cells, while sparing healthy ones.
Clinical trials, however, disproved these claims. Controlled studies in the 1980s found no evidence of laetrile's effectiveness against cancer and highlighted the significant safety concerns associated with cyanide toxicity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health organizations have since banned or restricted its use. Despite this, laetrile and raw amygdalin products are still sold illegally as alternative cancer therapies, putting patients at risk.
To learn more about the research surrounding laetrile, you can visit the National Cancer Institute's patient information page.
Bitter Almonds vs. Sweet Almonds: A Critical Distinction
It is essential to distinguish between the two varieties of almonds, as their safety profiles are vastly different.
| Feature | Bitter Almond (Prunus amygdalus var. amara) | Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) |
|---|---|---|
| Toxicity | High toxicity due to amygdalin, which converts to cyanide upon ingestion. | Contains only trace, harmless amounts of amygdalin. |
| Flavor | Distinctly bitter. | Sweet, nutty flavor. |
| Appearance | Slightly smaller and more pointed. | Rounder and plumper. |
| Common Use | Primarily for extracts, flavorings, and cosmetics after being processed to remove toxins. | Widely consumed raw, roasted, or used in foods, milk, and oils. |
| Legality | Raw, unprocessed almonds are restricted or banned for sale in many countries, including the US. | Legally sold and widely available in grocery stores. |
The Modern Medical Perspective and Safety Concerns
Modern medicine unequivocally warns against the internal use of unprocessed bitter almonds. The risk of life-threatening cyanide poisoning far outweighs any unsubstantiated traditional benefits. Health and regulatory bodies across the world, including the FDA, have issued strict warnings and restrictions on these products.
The only safe applications of bitter almond derivatives are in highly controlled, commercially processed products where the toxic amygdalin has been removed. These include almond extracts used for flavor and some cosmetic applications, where the ingredient is extensively purified and monitored to meet safety standards. For any therapeutic use, especially internal consumption, the risk of poisoning is simply too high for mainstream medical endorsement or clinical use.
Conclusion
To answer the question, "Are bitter almonds used in any medicines?", the answer is both yes and a profound no, depending on the context. Historically, bitter almonds were utilized in traditional remedies, often with recognized risks and in specific processed forms. However, the vast majority of these historical applications are not supported by modern clinical evidence and are considered extremely dangerous today. The compound amygdalin, found in high concentrations in raw bitter almonds, is a source of lethal cyanide. For this reason, modern, regulated medicine and authoritative health organizations strongly advise against ingesting bitter almonds for any medicinal purpose due to the severe and potentially fatal risk of poisoning. Any safe use of bitter almond oil or extracts is strictly in commercially processed and detoxified forms for external applications or flavorings, not as a direct medical treatment.
